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Stevens-Marijuana
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens says he thinks the federal government should legalize marijuana.
The 94-year-old retired justice tells NPR that public opinion has changed on the issue.
Stevens also says that there isn't much distinction between marijuana and alcoholic beverages. He says that the prohibition against alcohol in the early 20th century is generally thought not to have been worth the cost and that he believes that will be how marijuana is viewed in the future.
Stevens is the author of a new book, "Six Amendments: How and Why We Should Change the Constitution," in which he proposes banning capital punishment and limiting gun rights.
NPR will air its interview with Stevens on the program "Weekend Edition Saturday."
Candlestick Park-Paul McCartney
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Pop legend Paul McCartney is set to return to Candlestick Park to offer a swan song to the San Francisco 49ers' former stadium.
McCartney's website posted a statement Thursday confirming that the former Beatle will perform on Aug. 14 at what is being billed as the last concert at Candlestick.
His appearance became contentious last month when McCartney's worldwide concert promoter, Barrie Marshall, mentioned he had visited the 49ers' new Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara as part of negotiations about a possible opening concert there in August.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/1gUmAAa) city officials felt slighted, since San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee had personally invited McCartney to close the "Stick." The Beatles played their final paid concert there in 1966.
San Francisco's Recreation and Park Department Director Phil Ginsberg says the city's persistence helped seal the deal.
Cheerleader Lawsuit
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills cheerleaders will be making no appearances this year, a decision that comes days after a lawsuit over pay and working conditions.
Stephanie Mateczun is the manager of the Buffalo Jills and president of Stejon Productions Corp.
She wouldn't explain the suspension, but two days earlier five former cheerleaders sued the company and NFL team.
The cheerleaders say they had to work hundreds of hours for free at games and were subjected to groping and sexual comments at mandatory public appearances. One cheerleader said they had to take a "jiggle test" so their boss could assess their physiques.
The cheerleaders seek unspecified back pay and legal fees.
Amazon-Prime Pantry
NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon is taking aim at grocery stores and discounters like Wal-Mart with a grocery service that lets its Prime loyalty club members fill up to a 45-pound box with groceries and get it shipped for a flat rate of $5.99.
The mega online retailer says the service, called Prime Pantry, will offer Prime users an expanded selection of items that they usually pick up in grocery stores, in addition to larger in-bulk groceries more commonly ordered online, at competitive prices. Some items now available are single boxes of Cheerios, a six-pack of Bounty paper towels and Coca-Cola fridge packs.
Amazon has been bulking up services for its Prime membership program since it increased the annual membership price to $99 from $79 in March to help offset rising shipping costs.
Colorado Pot Taxes
DENVER (AP) — The federal government has reluctantly agreed to let Colorado be the first state to collect taxes from the legal sale of recreational marijuana, but it has also made clear it doesn't agree with the move and may try to stop it, if isn't tightly controlled.
Instead of keeping a low profile with the money, however, some Colorado lawmakers want to use millions of dollars they've collected from pot sales to seek matching federal funds to keep kids off drugs.
The plan calls for transferring $3.5 million from the state's marijuana cash fund to its general fund and then sending the same amount to a state department that would apply for the federal match.
Supporters say the move shouldn't cause any concerns.
Baby Gorillas
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City zoo is celebrating the arrivals of two baby western lowland gorillas.
They're the first gorillas born at the Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo since 2006.
Zoo officials said Thursday the babies' genders aren't yet known.
A gorilla named Julia gave birth on March 10. Another named Tuti had her baby on April 17.
Newborns weigh about 4 to 5 pounds. Females could grow up to weigh 250 pounds, males about 450 pounds.
Gorilla infants are held by their mothers for the first four months of their lives.
Zoo visitors can see the babies this spring if conditions such as the weather and temperature are right.
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